USAID Invests Over $15 Million to Accelerate Development and Deployment of 21 Innovations to Combat the Spread of Zika

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today 21 potentially game changing solutions to mitigate the spread and impact of the Zika virus. These award nominees underwent a rigorous review process, and have been selected for accelerated development, testing and deployment.

International Partnership Invests $3.4 Million to Accelerate Innovations that Prevent Maternal, Newborn Deaths and Stillbirth in the Hardest to Reach Regions of the World

After fierce competition, 12 of the world's most promising ideas to save lives at birth in developing countries have edged out nearly 650 other applicants, securing millions in new funding to develop and refine their innovations.

The U.S. Agency for International Development announced $127 million in additional humanitarian and recovery assistance to people affected by severe drought in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Lesotho, and Swaziland. With this announcement, the United States has provided nearly $300 million in humanitarian assistance to the region. In addition, the United States has also provided development investments to mitigate the drought's impacts and build resilience in Southern Africa.

Today's White House Summit on Global Development celebrated a milestone in the U.S. Government's commitment to ending global hunger, poverty and child malnutrition. Earlier this month, Congress passed the Global Food Security Act, important bipartisan legislation that institutionalizes Feed the Future, the Obama Administration's successful approach to increasing food security and nutrition. Through Feed the Future, the U.S. Government is working to increase the incomes, nutrition and resilience of small-scale farmers, particularly women, by expanding farmers' access to local and international markets. President Obama signed the bill into law today.

Members of the press are invited to attend and cover the White House Summit on Global Development and President Obama's speech on July 20 in Washington, D.C. The Summit will bring together development leaders, public and private sector partners, civil society, diplomats, and entrepreneurs to discuss the progress achieved by the Administration's approach to development and chart a course forward to continue the progress in the years ahead. There will be a series of panel discussions throughout the day that highlight President Obama's global development initiatives. Strive Masiyiwa will introduce President Obama, who is expected to speak at the summit.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator Ariel Pablos-Mendez will visit Durban, South Africa July 16 - July 17 for the 2016 International Conference on AIDS (AIDS 2016).

The five-year, $62 million dollar project will expand and improve comprehensive and integrated HIV/AIDS care and treatment services in six districts

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is pleased to announce the launch of the new United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Providing Universal Services for HIV/AIDS (PUSH) Project in Lesotho. This five-year, $62 million dollar program will provide resources to dramatically expand comprehensive and integrated HIV/AIDS care and treatment services to children and adults affected by HIV. Utilizing a prioritized district approach, the project aims to rapidly expand service coverage to 80 percent of people living with HIV in three scale-up districts by 2018, while sustaining services across a total of six districts in the country, further advancing Lesotho’s HIV response towards achieving universal treatment coverage.

Today at the Girls' Education Forum in London, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a commitment of $25 million through Let Girls Learn to help sustain a teacher apprenticeship program in Afghanistan for adolescent girls, as part of a new partnership with the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) Girls Education Challenge (GEC).

Today, the United States Congress passed the Global Food Security Act of 2016, marking a historic step toward ending global hunger and malnutrition. This bold display of bipartisan leadership sends a clear message that the United States is committed to empowering smallholder farmers and strengthening communities and economies through agricultural development.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant to the Administrator for the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs Larry Sampler will participate in the July 7, 2016 Girls' Education Forum in London.

Today at the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced four new investments totaling more than $38 million that will help mobilize the power of global entrepreneurs and innovators in the fight to end extreme poverty. These investments will connect innovators around the world with investors and capital to increase access to energy and expand food security in developing countries.

As part of the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will host a press conference on Thursday, June 23 at 12:30 p.m. PDT. USAID Administrator Gayle Smith, Assistant Administrator for Africa Linda Etim, USAID Chief Innovation Officer Ann Mei Chang and partners will announce new investments to help mobilize the power of entrepreneurs and innovators in the fight to end extreme poverty. These investments will connect innovators around the world with investors and capital to increase access to energy and expand food security in developing countries.

Today, USAID released the third annual Acting on the Call report, which details how a renewed focus on the poorest 40% of the population can save the lives of 8 million women and children by 2020. The report also announces Burma as the twenty fifth priority country for USAID's effort to end preventable child and maternal death.

We are facing unprecedented challenges as record numbers of people flee their homes due to conflict, hunger, and persecution around the world. On World Refugee Day, we renew our commitment to support refugees and their families in their search for safety, dignity, and opportunity. And I am proud to count among the talented men and women of USAID those who have themselves been refugees.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently announced a Legacy Fellowship program at a ceremony honoring Anita Datar and other fallen staff of USAID's Implementing Partners. In partnership with Palladium, USAID will host the inaugural Legacy Fellows as a tribute to Anita Datar who tragically died in the line of duty while furthering the work of Palladium and USAID's mission in Mali in November 2015.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Thomas O. Melia will travel to Georgia June 20-22, 2016 for the annual U.S.- Georgia Strategic Partnership Commission's Democracy Working Group.

WASHINGTON, D. C. – Today, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Gayle Smith announced during her meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman several new programs designed in partnership with the Government of Ukraine to further energy sector and judicial reforms in Ukraine.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean Marcela Escobari will make her first official visit as a USAID representative when she travels to Colombia on June 14-19. She will attend the World Economic Forum Latin America in Medellin, Antioquia.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Gayle Smith will participate in a development policy roundtable discussion at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition's (USGLC) 2016 State Leaders Summit.